Front Projector Screens
wbryden -- Wed, 02/22/2006 - 14:57
I have just run across a product called DIY Projection Screens. I have never seen it mentioned in any home theater publication. Is their product worth consideration as a projection screen for a home theater? I have included their URL so you can have a look at what I have seen. https://www.diytheatre.com/default.htm
How much ambient light do you have in your room?
The room is totally dark. The only window is completely blanked out. I do intend to have a small amount of indirect lighting on the floor so people can move around safely. This room is also my model railroad room with an around the wall layout on three walls. The forth wall is angled to provide a large screen wall. Provisions for signal and power cables to a ceiling mounted projector and wiring fro four surround speakers have been built into the room.
I've not heard of this company; I'll check it out and let you know what I learn.
Scott Wilkinson
Video Editor
The Perfect Vision
Okay, I've checked out the DIY website; here are my initial comments. First of all, this screen is MUCH less expensive (by an order of magnitude) than any other alternative, so that's good. However, I have several concerns. First is the amount of time it would take to assemble the screen, including building a black frame completely on your own (no pre-made frame is available). How long would it take? I don't know, but I would guess several hours at least. How much is your time worth? If you multiply your "hourly rate" by the time to complete the project (that is, the amount you would make doing what you do for a living during that time), the actual "cost" could come out closer to the cost of a pre-made screen.
Another concern is that you mst apply several coats of liquid to the backing material. I have no idea how critical the thickness or uniformity of that material is, but if it's important, I wouldn't want to trust my painting skills to that job. Then there's the issue of making sure the tension in the screen material is uniform.
I was a bit agast at one of the customer quotes on the site, which raved about how the screen sparkles. I don't want a screen that sparkles! That may be good eye candy, but at the end of the day, I want the screen to simply and accuractely reflect the light that is incident on it.
Admittedly, I'm not particularly handy, but given the value of my time and my skill level, I would opt for a pre-made screen from a good manufacturer such as Stewart or Screen Research. Just keep in mind that my comments are not based on seeing the DIY screen in action.
Scott Wilkinson
Video Editor
The Perfect Vision
Hi I thought that i would give you a little advise the only thing that i really know about Home Theater products are the screens. I have gone through 4 new screens in the past 2 years and i have tried them all. The expensive screens from the top three manufactures are not what they say they are. They are over priced and the image results are not what they advertize. I finaly saw a screen that my friend in California purchased from a manufacture in Europe and i was compleatly amaized the colors were real and there was no hot spoting and the really neet thing was that he had paid less than a third of what I paid for my last screen that was suposed to be the best money could buy. That is bull I ordered one for my self and it is the highest quality built and best image screen i have ever seen. www.grayhawkavs.com (Not Stewart) now my only problem is do i need a better projector to get a even better image. Take a look and let me know what you think.
John
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